August 19, 2010

Lost Radio: In the saxophone zone

Occasionally I stop and ponder my years of music listening when I did not have a forum to sputter on about it. And then I realize this blog presents a very particular picture of my taste that leaves a lot out. Here are some "lost" songs from the 1980's that I love and recommend... some you will know, but I hope you don't know them all.

BluebellsWill She Always Be Waitinghear itBrilliant b-side to their single Cath, this one has a fab lai-lai-lai-lai singalong bit at the end.Peter Godwin Baby's In The Mountainswatch itSomewhat obscure, but superb electropop from an era before we called it electropop.The Style Council The Paris Matchhear itAtmospheric, twinkly jazz-pop. Notable for the vocal by Everything But The Girl's Tracey Thorn.The Lotus Eaters The First Picture of Youwatch itNot one I know as well as the others, but I like the video.China Crisis Black Man Raywatch itWhat an odd duck of a song. The title is a pun and it has a good misheard lyric: "And we the people who can but try" I heard as "and we the people in Camden try..."Alison Moyet Where Hides SleepA deep cut from a popular and seminal album. Because Alison's voice is so smooth on the verses, I have this, haha, on a mix I play when I cannot sleep. And then she wails and I wake back up.Prefab Sprout Appetite watch itJust in case someone does not know this perfect lyric: "Here she is with two small problems / And the best part of the blame / Wishing she could call him heartache/ But it's not a boy's name."Nick Heyward Whistle Down The Windwatch itLovely Nick was on my 90's list and here he is again, with his 1984 debut solo opus. Ahhh, the days of video budgets to reflect a song's grandeur. Culture Club Black Moneyhear itFrom an album everyone knows and loves, this song always seems so sophisticated (my question at the time: what does it mean?). Do 20-something he/she-poppers produce this kind of track in 2010? This was in George's imperial phase but, like much of this album, the backing vocals of Helen Terry lift it into the stratosphere. Amazing.Black Wonderful Lifewatch itAnyone of a "certain age" thought of this song the first time they heard Hurts' single of the same name.

+1: Romeovoid A Girl In Trouble (Is A Temporary Thing)watch itConfession: I once sent Shirley Manson a note suggesting that she cover this song because "it's perfect for you." She did not listen and where is she now?! This is like a girl's guide to the galaxy: "Tears will be saved till they're better spent / There's no time for her to be afraid /So instead, she takes care of business / Keeps a cool head." Listen, Brit Brit.

9 comments:

As usual, your taste is impeccable! Yes, I do know all of these except the Bluebells...Black Money remains a seminal cut...I like Changing Everyday and That's The Way almost as much.And why Appetite was not an international #1 smash hit is inexplicable. It's a perfect pop song.My addition to the list - Duran Duran's Too Late Marlene, which is sublime

Agreed.You're on the money as per. I'm still obsessed with the Steve McQueen album - even more so after the latest album . I played Nick Heyward's North of A Miracle album to death - especially loved The Kick Of Love off that. My partner and I got together and discovered we both had all the China Crisis albums. Thanks for sharing these - I found some new gems too.

Good choice on Black Money, but if I had to choose a lost track from that album I would go with "That's The Way (I'm Only Trying To Help You) Another great excellent song with some great backings by Helen.